'Stuff-A-Cruiser' encore this weekend

NEW BRITAIN - Today, for the second straight weekend, the New Britain Police Union, Local 1165, will be collecting school supplies during a “Stuff-A-Cruiser” event at Target.

Last weekend, the union, with the support of the police department, filled a police Humvee with backpacks, pens, paper and other needed school supplies, said Police Chief James Wardwell.

“I’m proud of the union and the officers for always looking for ways to give back to the community,” Wardwell said.

Today, the officers will be back at it at the Target store on Hartford Road from 9:30 am to 1:30 p.m.

The items collected will go to the Training and Motivation Center, which is holding a school supply giveaway on Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Blaze Barber Shop at 631 W. Main St.

Children are eligible for free supplies during the giveaway event if they are in kindergarten through grade eight. Parents must show up with their children to receive the supplies. The supplies are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free refreshments and hot dogs and hamburgers will be available.

It is the second year in a row that the union has sponsored a “Stuff-A-Cruiser” event to help the Training and Motivation Center gather school supplies at Target, Union president officer Blaine Rogozinski said. “Target is a great partner of ours,” Officer Blaine Rogozinski, the union’s president, said. “They let us stand out front to stuff the cruisers.

Visitors are encouraged to buy supplies at Target or other stores and bring them to the Stuff-A-Cruiser event.

Herald intern Petey Oneto contributed to this story.

Lisa Backus can be reached at 860-801-5066 or lbackus@centralctcommunications.com.